[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 27, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6585-S6586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 522--CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITIES 
              OF BRISTOL. TENNESSEE AND BRISTOL, VIRGINIA

  Mr. FRIST (for himself, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Allen) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 522

       Whereas the twin cities of Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, 
     Virginia were officially chartered in 1856, celebrated the 
     Bristol Centennial in 1956, and have organized to celebrate 
     the Bristol Sesquicentennial in 2006;
       Whereas the Bristol Sesquicentennial theme, ``Celebrating 
     150 Years of heritage and harmony'' underscores the duality 
     of Bristol as a cohesion of 2 separate cities with 1 communal 
     spirit;
       Whereas the ``Bristol Sign'', listed in the National 
     Register of Historic Places, serves to exemplify the communal 
     spirit of Bristol, bridge the States of Tennessee and 
     Virginia over the cooperatively named ``State Street'', and 
     declare Bristol ``A Good Place to Live'';
       Whereas the people of Bristol continue to work to preserve 
     structures of historical significance, including the 
     Paramount theatre, the Old Customs House, and the historic 
     train station;
       Whereas the phonographic recordings known as the Bristol 
     Sessions launched the country music careers of the Carter 
     Family, the Stonemans, and Jimmie Rogers, and prompted 
     historians to describe Bristol as the ``Big Bang'' of modern 
     country music;
       Whereas country music is a central part of the history of 
     Bristol, which Congress recognized as the ``Birthplace of 
     Country Music'';
       Whereas the history and economic development of Bristol is 
     intimately tied to commercial transportation and Bristol 
     continues to serve as an important commercial hub for the 
     surrounding region; and
       Whereas automotive racing is integral to the identity of 
     Bristol and the ``World's Fastest Half-Mile'' at the Bristol 
     Motor Speedway continues to offer exciting events to scores 
     of racing fans: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) acknowledges the cultural and historic achievements of 
     the people of Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia; and
       (2) congratulates the twin cities of Bristol on their 
     sesquicentennial.

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I am pleased to join Senators Frist, 
Warner, and Allen in offering a Senate resolution that celebrates the 
150th anniversary of the twin cities of Bristol, TN, and Bristol, VA.
  Hanging on the wall of my Washington office near my desk is a 
painting of Bristol by George Smith called ``State Street at Seventh 
Avenue.'' This painting, which was completed around 1890, depicts the 
shared road that links the twin cities of Bristol and which serves as 
the State line between Tennessee and Virginia. State Street Church can 
be seen on the left side of the painting, the First Presbyterian Church 
is in the distance on the right, and the city saloon appears at the 
bottom. Thanks to continuing efforts in Bristol to preserve structures 
of historical significance, some of these buildings and many like them 
can still be seen there today.
  The twin cities were incorporated in 1856, the same year the Virginia 
and Tennessee Railroads reached Bristol. A second railroad arrived four 
years later. From that point on, the population grew steadily as 
Bristol emerged as an important transportation and commercial hub.
  Today, Bristol is known for a different type of transportation. Since 
1961, the Bristol Motor Speedway has been host to NASCAR races and its 
fans. The Speedway, which began as drawings scratched on the back of 
envelopes and brown paper bags, can now seat over 160,000 fans at its 
races. The ``World's Fastest Half-Mile'' is acclaimed worldwide, and I 
have enjoyed visiting the Speedway myself.
  But Bristol is more than just a transportation hub. It is the 
birthplace of country music--as declared by Congress in 1998.
  The roots of country music in Bristol can be traced to the influences 
of Scotch-Irish immigrants in the mountain regions of Tennessee and 
Virginia--including my own ancestors--coupled with the unique hymns of 
Negro spirituals and work songs. A number of early Appalachian 
instruments that helped spawn this new American form of music can be 
found on the walls of my Washington office.
  In 1927, Ralph Sylvester Peer arrived in Bristol hoping to produce a 
commercial recording of these unique mountain sounds. That's how the 
recordings

[[Page S6586]]

known as the Bristol Sessions were born, launching the careers of 
country greats like the Carter Family, the Stonemans and Jimmie Rogers. 
Those sessions are often billed as ``the Big Bang'' that started the 
development of modern and marketable country music.
  Bristol, TN, and Bristol, VA, may be two cities but they share a 
common spirit. You can't help but feel that spirit each time you visit, 
as I have had the pleasure of doing many times over the years. Nothing 
says it better than the Bristol Sign, which is listed in the National 
Register of Historic Places. Stretching across State Street and linking 
the States of Virginia and Tennessee, it declares Bristol ``A Good 
Place to Live.''
  Mr. President, I extend my warmest wishes to the people of Bristol as 
they celebrate the twin cities' sesquicentennial this year.

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